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Disappointing Statistics Heighten
Pressure on Japan's Central Bank

By

Bill SpindleStaff Reporter of The Wall Street Journal

Updated Dec. 14, 2000 1:14 p.m. ET

TOKYO -- A spate of disappointing economic statistics in Japan is turning the spotlight on the nation's central bank, which is coming under fresh pressure to ease credit in order to stave off a possible economic slowdown.

An important Bank of Japan economic survey, known as the tankan , on Wednesday gave the most recent gloomy assessment of the economic recovery. The survey's headline figure, which measures major Japanese manufacturers' assessment of business conditions, showed no improvement since the previous survey in August....